Thongalel
"Khamnung Thongalel" (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯅꯨꯡ ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯜ), also known as "Leinung Thongaren Sidaba" (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯅꯨꯡ ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯟ ꯁꯤꯗꯕ) is the god of death and the ruler of the Khamnung kingdom, the land of death, with its capital being Khamnung Sawa in Meitei mythology.[1]
Thongalel ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯜ | |
---|---|
Member of Meitei Guardians of the Directions | |
Affiliation | Sanamahism and Meitei mythology |
Abode | Khamnung kingdom |
Personal information | |
Siblings | Chīngkhong Poireiton |
Consort |
|
Greek equivalent | Hades[2] |
Hinduism equivalent | Yama[3] |
Legend says Laikhurembi is the chief queen of Thongaren, who was later handed to Nongda Lairen Pakhangba changing the name as Laishna.[4]
Sanamahism[]
The Meitei people in ancient times, worshipped the deity along with a hymn, which reads as follows:-
O Immortal Lord Thongalel!
Thou dispenser of the destiny of the dead and the living!
Skillful thou art in administration,
Favouring many a living being
Sealing the fate of many a dead man
Presidest thou over funeral affairs; Chief of gods! Shut the door of death And open the door of the living!
(PuYa)
Legends[]
- According to ancient Meitei chronicle "Poireiton Khunthok", a band of colonists led by Poireiton came from the land of death, whose king was Lord Thongaren.[5]
- According to ancient Meitei chronicle "Nongban Pombi Luwaoba", there's a fight between Nongban Pombi Luwaoba and a messenger of Thongaren and subsequent reconciliation with Lord Thongaren himself.[6]
- According to legends, the seven legendary brothers including Kabuiru Salamba were created by the divine creator God "Leinung Thongaren Sidaba" .[7]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). The History of Manipur: An early period.
- ^ worldhistory.org
- ^ worldhistory.org
- ^ Ray, Asok Kumar; Chakraborty, Satyabrata (2008). Society, Politics, and Development in North East India: Essays in Memory of Dr. Basudeb Datta Ray. ISBN 9788180695728.
- ^ Contributions to Southeast Asian Ethnography. 1982.
- ^ Singh, Elangbam Nilakanta (1982). Aspects of Indian Culture.
- ^ Kumar, Satinder (2000). Encyclopaedia of South-Asian Tribes: The Orakzi - the Rongmeis. ISBN 9788126105175.
- Names of God in Sanamahism